A-Z Health Topics

Orbital Cellulitis

Definition

Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection of the bony cavity in which the eyeball sits, and the muscles and soft tissues that surround the eyeball. This cavity is called the orbit. It is surrounded by the sinuses. The sinuses are the hollow areas of the skull around the nose. Orbital cellulitis affects not only the eye, but also the eyelids, eyebrows, and cheeks.

If the infection is not treated, it can lead to blindness and nerve damage of the face.

Eyeball in Orbit

The cavity below the eye is a sinus, the most common place for the infection to start.

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